After his team's season ended in late March with a loss to Florida in the NCAA tournament's round of 64, Virginia men's basketball coach Tony Bennett talked about hoping to get "an offseason acquisition or two that will be important."

His wish has come true.

Taylor Barnette, a 6-foot-3 guard from Nicholasville, Ky., who played high school ball at Lexington (Ky.) Christian Academy, has signed a letter with U.Va. to join the program's incoming freshman class. He had previously been a Central Florida signee.

Barnette confirmed his switch to U.Va. early Friday evening via his @tbarnette20 Twitter account with the message: "I'm officially a University of Virginia Cavalier. Blessed to be a part of the program here. All the glory to God! #blessed #Jeremiah 29:11

He joins a program that has already welcomed Anthony Gill this offseason. Gill, a 6-foot-8 forward, transferred in April from South Carolina. He'll sit out next season per NCAA transfer rules and will be a sophomore when he's eligible to play in the 2013-14 season. He has also signed a letter of intent with U.Va.

“We are excited to have Anthony and Taylor join the U.Va. basketball family,” Bennett said in a statement released Friday night by U.Va.'s athletic department. “They bring qualities both on and off the court that will help advance this program.”

In addition to scholarship offers from U.Va. and Central Florida, Barnette had offers from James Madison, Liberty, Belmont, Wofford and Samford. He also had an appointment from Navy.

Barnette was granted a release from his scholarship at Central Florida after the Knights were investigated by the NCAA for alleged violations stemming from football and basketball recruiting.

Last season, Barnette averaged 19 points and six rebounds per game for Lexington Christian. His sister, Sarah Beth, is a 6-2 sophomore forward on U.Va.'s women's basketball team. She transferred from Kentucky after her freshman season.